It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!
Application Deadline:
November 10, 2026
Compensation Details:
Full Pay Range
91,977.60 - 136,635.20
Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the range.This is a full-time salaried position.
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Benefit Eligibility Group:
Non Union (30+ Hours)
Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.
Job Description Summary:
Assistant City Attorney (ACA I)
Under general supervision, as an entry-level prosecutor in the Boulder City Attorney’s Office, handles a diverse caseload of municipal offenses, working alongside a dedicated team committed to fairness, equity, and innovative legal solutions. Participates in all phases of prosecution—from case assessment and trial preparation to courtroom advocacy—while benefiting from mentorship and professional development opportunities. This position offers the chance to make a real impact, addressing complex social issues and supporting Boulder’s mission of creating a safer and more inclusive community for all.
Assistant City Attorney (ACA II)
Under general supervision, provides legal counsel to the City Council, City departments, and boards and commissions. They may represent the city before administrative agencies, in municipal or water court, trial and appellate courts, at board and commission meetings, in real property transactions, or numerous other specialty areas. An Assistant City Attorney II handles a larger workload than an Assistant City Attorney I and works with a greater level of autonomy.
The hiring range for these positions are commensurate with experience:
Assistant City Attorney I - $91,977.60 to $136,635.20
Assistant City Attorney II - $101,171.20 to $150,280.00
Job Description:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ACA I
- Prosecutes Municipal Court cases.
- Meets with defendants, defense attorneys, witnesses, law enforcement, and victims of crime.
- Prepares for all stages of municipal court prosecution including reviewing cases, attending arraignment sessions, making plea bargain offers, interviewing witnesses, evaluating the strength of evidence, prosecuting contested cases in bench and jury trials, and handling any appeals to higher courts.
- Provides legal advice to city departments, administrative staff, and boards and commissions, on enforcement matters.
- Performs other legal services under the direction of the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney, appropriate for an entry level attorney.
- Staffs our Community Court outreach and diversion program.
- Take proper safety precautions to prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Use all required safety equipment and follow all safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Report all accidents and damage to city property.
- Know and follow city and department policies. Reinforce and expand legal and subject matter expertise through professional training and development.
ACA II
- Provides legal advice to City departments, administrative staff, and boards and commissions. Includes attending evening meetings. Includes conducting or assisting with legal research and preparing formal legal opinions. These tasks will be more complex than those handled by Assistant City Attorney Is.
- Prepares complex ordinances and resolutions.
- Negotiates, reviews, and prepares agreements and contracts.
- Represents the City in administrative and/or judicial hearings.
- Performs other duties and legal services as assigned by the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney, appropriate for this mid-level position.
- Performs related work to meet the needs of the City.
- Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follow all safety regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Knows and follows City and department policies.
- Reinforces and expands legal and subject matter expertise through professional training and development.
- Assists in developing less experienced attorneys in the office
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
ACA I
- Ability to independently adapt, interpret and apply written guidelines, precedents and standardized work practices to a variety of situations.
- Ability to communicate effectively demonstrating excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to prepare professional, concise and grammatically correct written documents.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, various representatives of public or private entities, policy making bodies, and members of the public.
- Ability to exercise initiative, judgment, and decision making in solving problems and meeting organizational objectives.
- Ability to demonstrate strong analytical skills.
- Ability to demonstrate organizational and administrative skills.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and work well in a team.
- Knowledge of applicable law, court procedures and the rules of evidence sufficient to prepare and litigate cases in court and represent the city in administrative hearings.
- Knowledge of Colorado law.
- Knowledge of criminal law and procedure.
- Knowledge of analysis and research techniques sufficient to gather information, secure and analyze desired information, and formulate logical recommendations.
- Knowledge of policy, ordinances and charter requirements sufficient to advise on matters that encompass a wide variety of municipal law issues.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of general law sufficient to collaborate with other attorneys.
- Skills in quality legal writing and research.
- Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.
ACA II
- Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex legal documents.
- Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints; make oral presentations to City departments, work groups, boards and commissions, and City Council; and willingness to attend evening and/or weekend meetings.
- Ability to interact with members of the public or City employees when explanatory or interpretive information is exchanged, gathered, or presented.
- Ability to exercise judgment in selecting the most pertinent guidelines in order to interpret precedents, adapt standard practices to differing situations, and recommend alternative actions in unprecedented situations.
- Ability to determine time, place, and sequence of actions to be taken to meet deadline requirements.
- Ability to independently adapt, interpret, and apply written guidelines, precedents, and standardized work practices to a variety of situations.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to prepare professional, concise, and grammatically correct written documents.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, representatives of public or private entities, policy-making bodies, and members of the public.
- Ability to exercise initiative, judgment, and decision-making in solving problems and meeting organizational objectives.
- Knowledge or ability to quickly learn applicable law, court procedures, and rules of evidence sufficient to assist in the litigation of cases in court and represent the City in administrative hearings.
- Knowledge of analysis and research techniques sufficient to gather information, secure and analyze desired information, and formulate logical recommendations.
- Knowledge or ability to quickly learn policy, ordinances, and City Charter requirements sufficient to advise on matters that encompass a wide variety of municipal law issues.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of general law sufficient to collaborate with other attorneys.
- Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
ACA I
- Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish, as a second language, in a professional capacity for communication objectives.
- Prior experience as a judicial law clerk or government law clerk researching local government issues.
- Mock trial, trial advocacy, and/or experience in a prosecution office.
ACA II
- Knowledge and understanding of legal issues relating to municipal law.
- Work or educational experience in state or local government and demonstrated interest in public service.
- Work experience in advising boards or commissions.
- At least five (5) years of experience as an attorney.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
ACA I
- J.D. from an accredited law school.
- Licensed attorney in the state of Colorado or in the process of earning a license to practice in Colorado.
- No experience is required for this role.
- Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license.
ACA II
- J.D. from an accredited law school.
- Licensed attorney in the state of Colorado or in the process of earning a license to practice in Colorado.
- At least four (4) years of experience as an attorney.
- Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license.
ACA I and II
SUPERVISION
Supervision received: Deputy City Attorney
Supervision exercised: None
WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Physical and mental effort: Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities that permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person. Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials. Sufficient manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate computer equipment and other office equipment. Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to work in an office setting. Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions.
- Work Environment: Works primarily in a clean, comfortable environment. Works in a setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises. City employees are required to comply with the City’s hybrid work policy. Sometimes working outside in adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, heat and cold.
- Machines and equipment used: Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/or operating a keyboard.
As part of the City of Boulder’s commitment to a future with equitable access to health, prosperity, and fulfillment that is not limited by a person’s race, ethnicity, age, gender, ability, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic status, it is the city’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all individuals. The city does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or policy.
